From news to humor, find out what the appeal of Twitter is to a pro athlete

It's real-time. It allows us to keep up with the latest news for whatever we're interested in, including the Buffalo Sabres, of course. It helps us stay in close contact with those we care about the most.

Twitter's usefulness is clear to a lot of people. It's no different for professional hockey players.

“For me personally, I love the news side of it,” Sabres captain Steve Ott (@OtterN9ne) said. “The updates of instant news and in a quick format, too. I love how you can read a few words – almost a sentence – and know what's going on, updates around the NHL or even in world news.”

Though he’s 12 years younger than Ott, Sabres rookie forward Zemgus Girgensons (@zemgus94) gravitates toward the same part of Twitter.

“News, first of all,” Girgensons said.

But there's also a social side.

“Listening to what people say. Messing around, killing some time. Letting people know when something happens in my life,” Girgensons added.

Very excited to play my first NHL game tonight vs Red Wings! Makes it that much better having my family and @Katie_Sullivan4 here to watch

When he was traded to Buffalo in October, Matt Moulson (@MMoulson) brought 55,000 Twitter followers and an active account with him. He now has over 64,000 followers.

“I think it's a great way to get information right away. Get news from exact moments as they happen,” Moulson said.

Sabres goaltender Jhonas Enroth (@JEnroth125) had a short-and-sweet response fit for Twitter when asked what he finds most useful about the social network.

“Keep myself updated,” he said.

Not every Buffalo Sabre is on Twitter. But every now and then, another player joins the service. That was the case in September when Ryan Miller signed up (@RyanMiller3039).

“I kind of caved in, just to participate in something that's been popular,” Miller said. “I started thinking about how it could help my career, my cause; I've had a foundation for a number of years. I felt I probably wasn't doing enough on the grand scale.”

Miller has come a long way since his first tweet on Sept. 3. He passed the 30,000-follower milestone this past week.

“I'm just trying to have some fun with it,” he said. "Mainly hockey stuff. I've done a few things that touch on my life a little bit, but don't want to get too deep into it. I try to have a little bit of fun but not go too far.”

“I have a little bit of a realm of who I follow,” he said. “Obviously my teammates, and other guys around the League that I've played with before. But also if an account is about facts of life or just fun or interesting stuff that you'd never think of or know.”

For some, Twitter is more personal. Girgensons falls in that category, hinting that there has to be some kind of reciprocal relationship to start following someone.

“You've got to be really close,” he said. “Don't give out follows just like that ...You've got to do something for me.”

Enroth had a similar take, saying he'll follow someone “if I'm interested in that person or if I know them.” His highest priority?

“My friends and family,” he said.

Miller keeps his stream simple.

“It's just mainly guys on the team, guys I'm buddies with throughout the league,” he said.

Favorite Follows

If you use Twitter enough, you'll likely find yourself enjoying some accounts more than others.